How to factory reset Android phone

How to Factory Reset Your Phone

Knowing how to factory reset your phone is really useful. It can help you fix a frozen device or wipe your personal data when you’re upgrading to a new phone. If you’re unsure how to do it, we’re here to help!

At Asurion, we assist millions of people daily with tech issues—from getting a Samsung Galaxy® to charge again to fixing a phone that won’t ring. Here’s what you need to know about resetting your Android™ phone and tips to do it without losing important data.

Why Factory Reset Your Android?

Resetting your Samsung® or Google® phone to factory settings is important for keeping your personal info safe in situations like:

• Selling your phone
• Trading it in for a new one
• Giving it to a friend or family member
• Troubleshooting problems like a frozen screen or forgotten passcode (we suggest this only after trying other fixes).

Does a Factory Reset Delete Everything?

Yes, a factory reset wipes almost all data from your Android phone, starting fresh. Here’s what gets deleted:

• Contacts
• Photos and videos
• Music
• Passwords and files
• Accounts
• Messages

What to Do Before Resetting Your Android Phone

To make sure you don’t lose important info, follow these steps before you reset your phone:

1. Back Up Your Phone: Upload your data to Google Drive™ or your carrier’s service to keep everything safe during the reset.
2. Charge Your Phone and Connect to Wi-Fi: This process can take a while, so it’s best to have your phone plugged in and on Wi-Fi to avoid using up your mobile data.
3. Know Your Login Info: Make sure you remember your Google Account details, as you’ll need them to restore your data later.
4. Unpair Bluetooth Devices: Disconnect any paired devices like smartwatches or headphones.
5. Sign Out of Accounts: Log out of all apps and services, and remove any saved payment cards from your mobile wallet. Don’t forget to turn off Find My Device!
6. Remove Your SIM Card: Check our guide for easy steps to take out your SIM card.
7. Sign Out of Your Android Phone: After backing up and completing the previous steps, sign out of your account to keep your info safe.

How to Factory Reset Your Android Phone

Usually, you can reset your phone through the Settings app. Make sure to keep your phone plugged in during this process.

For Samsung Galaxy Phones:

1. Open the Settings app, then tap on General management > Reset.
2. Tap Factory data reset > Reset.

For Other Android Devices:

1. Open the Settings app and search for “Reset”.
2. Tap Erase all data (factory reset), then confirm by tapping it again and entering your password or PIN.

How to Factory Reset Your Phone When It’s Locked

If you can’t remember your unlock code, here’s how to reset it:

For Locked Samsung Phones (Galaxy S8 and newer):

1. Turn off the phone (let it run out of battery if needed).
2. Press and hold the Bixby, Power, and Volume Up buttons until you see the Samsung logo.
3. In the Recovery menu, use the Volume buttons to select Delete all user data or Wipe data/factory reset, then press the Power button to confirm.
4. Confirm your choice with “Yes” and wait for the reset to complete. Press Power again to reboot.

For Locked Google Pixel Phones:

1. Turn off your phone.
2. Hold the Volume Down and Power buttons until the Android logo appears.
3. Use the Volume buttons to select Recovery Mode, then press Power to select it.
4. Choose Wipe data/Factory reset using the Volume buttons, then confirm with Power.
5. Select Factory data reset, and once it’s done, choose Reboot system now.